Art Diggs

Linda Hogan

Posted on 25. Apr, 2009 by ronald in Artists

Celebrating 3-Dimensional Art with Linda Hogan:

Linda Hogan is a nationally recognized 3-Dimensional artist who has a passion for creating art with a variety of textures and colors. Linda and her husband, Dennis, are currently living in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  She has been perfecting her craft for more than 30 years and has been the recipient of many awards, including “Best of Colorado” in 2001.

Linda’s “Tropical Fish” are fascinating in design, color and character. This series was inspired by her stay on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, and more recently in Vero Beach, Florida. There’s a “feel good” feeling people get by just looking at them. They are a joy to experience.

Angel Fish

ArtDiggs: Why do you prefer three dimensional art over other mediums available ?

Linda: I love doing three dimensional pieces for a lot of reasons. They are different, original, cutting edge, contemporary, outside the box, unique and just plain fun. I love hearing someone say “I have never seen this before”.

I think it’s important as an artist to push the boundaries,  stretch the imagination and to continue to break new ground. An artist’s contribution to the universe should be so much more than reworking things from the past.

Sometimes my vision is better expressed on canvas, so not all of my work is three dimensional. Although some of my canvas pieces are heavily textured with a palette knife. One of the advantages of working on canvas is the ability to have reproductions made. Not everyone can afford original art, so more people get to have the image in their homes.

“Save the Reef Save the Turtles”

ArtDiggs: In your Bio you mention attending college. Do you have a formal education in art or do you consider yourself self taught?

Linda: I did not receive a degree in art but I did take all the art courses that were available. As far as 3-dimensional art I would have to say I am self taught since I have never seen what I do made by anyone else.

One of my classes was “experimental art” and we could create anything that could be imagined. That’s where my first three dimensional piece originated. A friends’ father was a cabinet maker and general contractor and their garage was filled with wood scrap, tile, molding, etc., so I gathered up several boxes and took it to school.

I arranged the pieces over and over until I liked the balance and texture, glued it all together then painted it black. At that point I thought “how boring” so I began adding color, lots of color, more texture, fabrics and papers and really loved it!  I just knew that this was a path I would follow.

Well that was 1969 and there have been a lot of turns in the path but I am still following that inspiration. My techniques and materials have evolved, the first piece was an abstract and it was framed which I don’t do now. My current abstracts are multi-level, free-form, and overlapping.

A friend once described them as “Flying amoebas procreating”… I think that was a compliment but then I’m not sure!  That first piece is on my web site found at: www.lindahoganart.com (under Abstract), titled “Sun and Surf”.

Oval Butterfish

ArtDiggs: What was your inspiration for the Tropical Fish series?

Linda: Numerous snorkeling and scuba diving experiences in The Keys, The Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii have shown me a fascinating new universe. Thousands of fish of every shape and color swimming in and around the coral reef.

And the Sea Turtles! I am so passionate about the turtles. It is rare to spot one and they are endangered but they don’t seem to be afraid of people. They just slowly swim by or if they are not moving you almost miss them blending in with the rock and coral. I am amazed at the survival instincts of the hatchlings.

They hatch in the night with only the reflected light of the stars or moon to guide them to the water. There are many predators and dangers with a very small percentage of them ever reaching adulthood. Some of my canvas pieces show  fish and turtles together and I hope to use the images to educate children and adults about the destruction of coral and the dangers to both fish and turtles.

ArtDiggs: Do you try to maintain a balance between representing the “natural” characteristics of the fish or do you just have fun with the colors?

Linda: Yes. I try to make the markings of the fish realistic so they are identifiable but I do tweak the colors sometimes. Other times I completely make them up…”Fantasy Fish” I call them and I do have fun. I have the skill to paint very realistically and sometimes that’s the goal such as with the trout and turtles. I guess it’s all a balance.

Fantasy Fish “Margarita”

ArtDiggs: Do you think that acrylic paint is better for this type of work?

Linda: Acrylics are good for bright, hard edge graphic style and for quick drying. They are also good when thinned with water or medium for semi-transparent washes and layering. I also use oils especially for the landscapes and wildlife.

ArtDiggs: Which subject is the most challenging and rewarding? The fish, the animals, or the landscapes ?

Linda: I would say the Sea Turtles. It takes forever to shape the shells as each segment is a separate piece that is cut, sanded and fit to the next one. Achieving the natural curve of the shell is another challenge.

The Sea Turtles are my passion and people are really drawn to them. I hear all the time, “I just LOVE Sea Turtles!” Never have I heard someone say, “I sort of like Sea Turtles.”

Loggerhead Sea Turtle “Sidney”

ArtDiggs: What direction do you see your art work taking at this point in your life and is there a project you would like to undertake and haven’t as of yet?

Linda: I would enjoy doing more Public Art. I  was commissioned to create a large 48 x 72 “Fantasy Tree House” for the Children’s area of the South Glenn Public Library, Denver.  I like that hundreds, maybe thousands of children, have enjoyed it since 2000.

Also, I would love to do more monumental pieces either landscapes or abstracts. Since the works are designed in overlapping sections the size is unlimited. I can imagine a 50-60 ft piece down an airport corridor or hotel lobby.  I’ve only done a few free standing sculptures and I would like to explore that as well.

I would enjoy collaborating with the architect of a building to integrate the art with the structure, possibly to be on the exterior of the building using weather proof materials.

ArtDiggs: Have you done any workshops in 3-dimensional art?

Linda: Not really. I have done many demonstrations with the audience asking questions. I have been interviewed on the television news, 2 or 3 times for gallery openings, and once for a half-hour program on the arts.

ArtDiggs: Do you have any tips for artists about 3-dimensional art?

Linda: (Yes)
1. It’s two forms of art. The sculpture has to be well designed and balanced on it’s own, either wall sculpture or free standing.
2. The painting will add to the piece, but it has to work with, not against the shape.
3. Light and cast shadows play an important role as the shapes interact with each other.

ArtDiggs: What advice can you give to a new artist that can make them better at their craft?

Linda:
1. Never give up. Want it with your whole heart and do not let criticism get you down. Learn from each rejection and use it to clarify your vision.
2. Don’t let distractions fragment your focus. Be disciplined with your studio time. Even if you can only manage a few hours a day – let everyone know, “This is my JOB!”
3. There are “in the zone” times where everything is effortless and other times when you are not feeling it, but work anyway. Clean your brushes, order supplies, answer e-mails, photograph your work, update your portfolio, scrape the paint off the floor, etc.

If you want to reach Linda, you can send her a message at Contact Linda or visit her Website.